Reflection of Ajarn Rosanna Hutagalung’s Ministry to the Thais
– LCS Retired Missionary to Thailand
I have served as a missionary in Thailand from 2010, and in 2020 I was reassigned back to Thai Good News Centre (TGNC) in Singapore until 8th November 2024.
Challenges in ministry (Thailand): In the beginning it was difficult of course. The food, the smell, the noise, the pollution, the language, the culture was different from what I was brought up in. I went to Thailand in my mid-forties, and it was quite difficult to learn a totally different language. But with determination and by God’s grace, I was able to overcome it.
Patience with the Thais was also my weakness. Coming from a super developed country (in my opinion), I thought I wanted to help and teach as much as I could. But no. The Lord led me to sit back, to learn and to listen from the Thais themselves on their outlook towards life, the natural, the supernatural and their history. There were many hours sitting over food and talking with them, Christians and non-Christians alike. There was so much to learn, and I asked the Lord to help me love the Thais as He has called me to serve them.
I felt so blessed to be able to serve the village children on Saturdays, teaching them English and gospel quizzes. Some of them received our Lord through this. Many of our church volunteers came to the village school to help run the English program for the primary and secondary schools.
During Christmas, the village women folk would come together and help in the Christmas program. How wonderful is that! One of the things I cherish are the many new friends that I have made during my journey in Thailand and Singapore.
Back in Singapore, serving in TGNC, the vibe was a bit different. The members are made up of Singaporean and Thai wives who have been in Singapore for many years. Mostly working, they are unable to come for worship every Sunday. Keeping contact with them was done through phone calls and visitations. Many friendships were made with the Thai women during our evangelism visits in places where there are Thais, men and women alike.
I realized that God called us individually to a specific place. I know I cannot evangelize in many places but where He has called us to be, that is the place where we will find joy and blessings, and the place where we thrive as He leads us. I realize too that the many years of working in Thailand has changed my outlook as a person. I see people as how God has created them, in His image, and His longing for them to know Him.
I thank God for keeping me safe and in good health. God is faithful to the end!
Serving in Thailand together with missionaries from other countries
罗珊娜.胡塔加伦的退休反思
我自2010年起便在泰国担任宣教士一神职，直到2020年被重新分派到新加坡信义宗的泰国福音中心（Thai Good News Centre，简称TGNC），并于2024年11月8日结束任期。
在泰国事工中的挑战：
凡事起头难：泰国当地的饮食、气味、噪音、污染、语言和文化都与我所熟悉的成长环境截然不同。我去泰国时年岁已四十过半。在那个岁数学习泰语，一个完全陌生的语言，对我而言是非常困难的。但凭着天赐的毅力和神的恩典，这些障碍都被一一征服了。
与泰国人的相处必须要有耐心。但缺乏耐心也是我的弱点。来自新加坡，一个（在我看来）高度发达的国家，我本以为自己可以尽力帮助和教导他们。但事实并非如此。感谢主的引导，我学会放慢生活节奏，放下身段向泰国人学习，耐心聆听他们对生活、自然、超自然现象以及历史的看法。在许多餐桌旁的交谈中，我从当地的基督徒和非基督徒那里得到了许多认知。我时时向主祷告，求祂帮助我去爱泰国人，完成祂呼召我来服侍他们的使命。
泰国的小组活动
我感到非常蒙福，能够在每个周六为村里的孩子们服务，不仅教他们英语也进行有关福音问答的互动项目。一些孩子因此接受了我们的主。我们教会的许多志愿者也来到村里的学校，协助开展小学和中学的英语课程。
每年圣诞节，村里的妇女都会聚在一起，帮助筹备圣诞活动，共度美好佳节时光！我非常珍惜在往返泰国和新加坡的旅程经历中所结交的新朋友。
回到新加坡，服务于TGNC
在TGNC的事奉氛围则稍有不同。会友主要由新加坡人与在新加坡生活多年的泰国妇女组成。由于大部分人都有工作，他们无法每个星期天都来参加敬拜。我们通过电话联系和实地探访与她们保持联系。在我们到泰国人聚集的地方进行福音宣教时，也与许多泰国妇女建立友谊。
泰国福音中心的圣诞活动
神对每个人的呼召是独特的。祂会呼召我们到明确的方位服侍。我不可能到处传教，因为大多数的地方都处于神呼召我们的范围之外，但我们也不必为此而感到遗憾。因为只要顺服神，服侍于祂呼召我们之处，那即是获得喜乐和蒙福之地，也是我们能在祂引领下属灵能够茁壮成长的沃土。我也意识到，在泰国工作多年的历练也改变了我的人生视野。再者，我对人类的创造乃源于神的形象、因此神甚渴望每个人能契入祂的心意的这则神学理念，有了更深一层的认识。
我感谢神保守了我从事聖工时期的平安和健康。我深信神的信实是永恒无尽的！